More than 3 dozen lakes managed by the Tulsa District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, including many in Oklahoma will have their recreation areas temporarily closed or with reduced service because of what the Corps refers to as staffing shortages.
The Army Corps of Engineers stated it “does not currently having the staffing to maintain all recreation sites at normal levels of service.”
Operations at 14 lakes in Oklahoma, from the northeast to the northwest and near the southern state line were affected by the shortage.
“These temporary adjustments will affect select areas to ensure visitor safety and prompt availability for executing flood risk management responsibilities. While the impacts of temporarily closing these facilities will be felt by the public, our goal is to provide safe and sustainable recreation experiences.”
• Reservations will be cancelled and fully refunded starting May 15 – June 3 at the parks listed in this news release.
– Exception: 3 seasonally closed parks at Council Grove Lake were set to open May 1. They will remain closed until staffing can be restored.
• Cancellations will occur in 14-day increments with the next cycle occurring June 4 – 17, and so forth.
• The objective is to reopen parks at the earliest opportunity while minimizing impacts to the public.
• The safety of our public and our employees is our highest priority.
“We understand these temporary closures will disrupt plans and we sincerely appreciate the public’s flexibility.” said Jamie Hyslop, chief of the Natural Resources and Recreation Branch. “We will continue to monitor conditions throughout the season and concentrate our resources so we can better maintain high quality service at priority locations.”
Additional closures may be required in the future, contingent upon staff availability, workload, and visitation levels.
2. Birch Lake, OK
1. Twin Coves – temporary camping loop closure, Sites 3-12
3. Canton Lake, OK
1. Sandy Cove Day Use – swim beach temporary closure
2. Fairview Group Camp – temporary closure (all park – closed)
4. Copan Lake, OK
1. Copan Point Day Use – swim beach & boat ramp temporary closure
2. Osage Plains – temporary closure (all park – closed)
5. Eufaula Lake, OK
1. Gaines Creek – temporary closure (all park – closed)
6. Ft. Supply Lake, OK
1. Wolf Creek – temporary closure (all park – closed)
2. Beaver Point – temporary closure of day use, camping remains open
7. Kaw Lake, OK
1. McFadden Cove – temporary closure camping loop & boat ramp
2. Sandy Beach – temporary closure of beach
8. Keystone Lake, OK
1. Appalachia Bay – ORV closed, camping & day use remain open
9. Pine Creek Lake, OK
1. Turkey Creek – temporary closure (all park – closed)
10. Oologah Lake, OK
1. Spencer Creek – temporary closure (all park – closed)
11. Sardis Lake, OK
1. Sardis Cove – temporary closure camping (only boat ramp open)
12. Skiatook Lake, OK
1. Bull Creek – temporary closure (all park – closed)
2. Osage Park – temporary closure (all park – closed)
3. Tall Chief Cove – temporary closure of beach, camping & boat ramp remain open
13. Tenkiller Lake, OK
1. Horseshoe Bend – temporary closure (all park – closed)
2. Standing Rock – temporary closure (all park – closed)
14. Webbers Falls, OK
1. Hopewell Park – temporary closure (all park – closed)
2. Bluff View – temporary closure (all park – closed)
3. Brewers Bend – temporary closure (all park – closed)
4. Overlook – temporary closure (all park – closed)
15. Robert S. Kerr, OK
1. Little San Bois Creek – temporary closure (all park – closed)
3. Cowlington Point – temporary closure (Winter loop – closed)
A full list of closures can be found here: https://www.swt.usace.army.mil/Park-and-Campground-Closures/
To find a Corps facility that is open, visit: https://corpslakes.erdc.dren.mil/visitors/status.cfm?state=Map
Recreate Responsibly. Always wear a life jacket when on or near the water.
While impacts will be seen at all 38 Tulsa District lakes, there will be significant impacts at the following lakes in Kansas as well.
1. Council Grove Lake, KS
1. Canning Creek – temporary closure (all park – closed).
2. Santa Fe Trail – temporary closure (only boat ramp opened).
3. Outlet East – temporary closure (all park – closed).
4. Kanza View – temporary closure (camping – closed, day-use open).
5. Richey Cove – temporary closure (all park – closed)
The following parks at Council Grove were scheduled to open May 1 but will remain closed. Reservation cancellations will begin May 1.
1. Neosho Park – temporary closure (only boat ramp opened).
2. Kit Carson Cove – temporary closure (all park – closed).
3. North Richey Cove – temporary closure (only boat ramp opened).